Like many teenagers, I got tired of hearing some of my father’s advice. He had grown up without receiving an education, and as early as I can remember he worked at the “packing house” (or Swift and Co.) He knew the value of having a job, for many were out of work those days. He just had to make sure I got the education he was not privileged to receive.
The summer I graduated from High School I worked at the “packing house.” On my first day on the job he told me – for at least the tenth time – “Work hard. Do a good job and make them glad to see you coming.”
If we had the good sense to do so, all of us could learn many lessons from our fathers. He taught me more lessons by his example than by his words, and I’m grateful for every one.
The Value of Honest Labor
Picking cotton was both my father’s and my mother’s first jobs when they were young. It was not until I was a grown man that I discovered what it meant to “pick cotton” and just what hard and painful work it really was.
There is dignity in work, regardless of how hard it is, and the Bible has much to say on that subject:
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth,” Ephesians 4:28.
“.. study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing,” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.
Man has never been more noble than when he has followed the words of scripture just quoted. There is eternal honor in labor. Some work with their hands and others work with their “minds”, but honest labor is highly esteemed by our Creator.
The Strength of Humility
Dad had little for which to boast, for he was “just a laborer.” But most of us have learned that humility is the grandest quality a person can possess. (See Luke 9:46-48, 22:24-26)
Dad was never comfortable when all eyes were on him. Just to lead a public prayer was painful for him. A very memorable event – for me – took place in an old country church building. As was common then, the baptistry was underneath the pulpit area, and was accessed by removing the pulpit stand and lifting the floor.
All eyes were on Dad as he made that good confession. He has been gone over twenty three years now, but tears still come to my eyes when I recall that day and his humility.
I have a lot to learn on that subject, but I had a good teacher.
The Honor of Loyalty
Being loyal to friends will always be a positive quality, but many say loyalty is losing ground today. For a professional athlete, loyalty is often reserved for oneself, especially if the “price is right.” But to me, because of what I lived with as a boy, loyalty is not something that comes and goes, but stays firm even when the money goes another direction.
For thirty years Dad worked at the “packing house.” His good friends were those with whom he worked. When our house burned down in 1939 they took up a collection that paid for many things we needed. When he was seriously ill, they donated over thirty pints of blood. That’s true loyalty.
In Gethsemane, Jesus’ apostles fell asleep in His darkest hour. When He was arrested they ran away. But Jesus did not abandon them, and He has promised not to abandon us.
To the patriarch Jacob, God said:
“Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of,” Genesis 28:15.
God is still loyal to His family today:
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He Himself has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me,” Hebrews 13:5-6.
God’s people need that kind of loyalty today. The word “faithful” describes our being loyal to God, and such faithfulness should be a constant trait within each of us.
I hope these thoughts will remind us that our lives touch our children and others in ways no one else can. My parents were not perfect, but they taught me lessons that are still part of my heart and my mind. Their mindset was such that our lives focused upon the church and our service to others. If I am worth anything to the Lord, it is to a great extent due to their example.
When the Apostle John wrote to the church at Smyrna, the Holy Spirit inspired him to write:
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life,” Revelation 2:10.
Loyalty to truth and right. Loyalty to God and His church, even if threatened by death itself.
Many of you could say the same about your parents, but even if you cannot, you can teach your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
When you get to work tomorrow, be such a good worker that they will be “glad to see you coming.
